Record Reviews

EMIL VIKLICKY ~ HOMAGE TO JOAN MIRO SUPRAPHON 11 0763 (Barcode: 8596911076323) ~ CZECHOSLOVAKIA ~ Pop-Classical Fusion Recorded: 1987 Released: 1989 This is a beautiful album by the Czech pianist / composer / bandleader Emil ViklickyFind albums by this artist, recorded in a quartet format with saxophonist Frantisek KopFind albums by this artist, bassist Frantisek UhlirFind albums by this artist and Slovak drummer Cyril ZelenakFind albums by this artist. The Talich String QuartetFind albums by this artist accompanies the quartet on the three-part suite, dedicated to the great Spanish / Catalan painter / sculptor Joan MiroFind albums by this artist. In addition to the suite, the album presents five tracks of quartet performances. All the music was composed by Viklicky, except one track composed by Uhlir and another by Czech bassist / composer Petr KorinekFind albums by this artist. It was Viklicky’s 4th album for the state owned (at the time) SupraphonFind albums on this label label. It was produced by my Friend Antonin MatznerFind albums by this artist, now sadly departed. In addition to the obvious Classical elements involved in the music presented here, there are also many references to Czech Folklore, which is almost an omnipresent component of Viklicky’s music over time. The wonderful amalgam of all these influences and the modern Jazz approach produce a powerful impression on the listener and results in a timeless masterpiece, which sounds today as fresh as it did when first released. I have not heard this album since it was first released and managed to find a copy in a Prague second hand CD shop during my recent visit in town, which makes me very happy. In retrospect, the album is a great document of Eastern European Jazz in the late 1980s, which were a troubled time, but also full of hope for a great change, which was forthcoming. I recall my visit in Czechoslovakia and the meeting with future President Vaclav HavelFind albums by this artist, during his 1989 imprisonment, which made a great impression on me at the time. Those were certainly interesting times and the Czech music scene was bubbling with invention and new discoveries, which is perfectly reflected in the music on this album and many other albums recorded around this period. Of course the musicianship and the quality of the compositions are all superb, and as already mentioned, lost nothing of its great vigor and intellectual quality. Although seemingly quite “tamed”, the music is full of surprises, twists and turns and farsighted innovation, which spark with talent and a great love of the Jazz idiom. Overall, this is a beautiful album in every respect, a true classic full of great melodies, perfect swing and aesthetic, innovative Jazz Classical Fusion, all wrapped in an irresistible package. It is definitely worthy of an honorable place in any serious Jazz albums collection and a must for East European Jazz enthusiasts.

Updated: 22/08/2025Posted: 22/08/2025

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